Benefit to help Hillsdale High School graduate

Thursday

Jan 24, 2013 at 11:49 AMJan 24, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Andy Barrand

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net HILLSDALE — Sitting at the doctor's office with arsenic running through her body, Dee Ann Hassenzahl had her two children with her to help her keep her mind off the poison. Hassenzahl has been undergoing the treatment since being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia on Aug. 30. She undergoes the treatment two hours a day five days a week. Hassenzahl, a 2004 graduate of Hillsdale High School, currently resides in Fort Wayne, Ind. The leukemia was found after Hassenzahl went to the hospital because of a sore throat. She was hospitalized immediately, as her red and white blood cells were dangerously low. She said if it wouldn’t have been caught she could have died. Hassenzahl’s classmates, friends and family, headed by Danyelle Hassenzahl and Tonya Adams, are hosting Pampering for a Purpose, a benefit, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at White Oaks Golf Club. The two Mary Kay consultants will be giving facials and glamour consultations. The benefit will also feature food, beverages, door prizes, a raffle and more. All proceeds will be donated to the Dee Ann and her family. Danyelle said she is hoping everyone comes out to support Dee Ann. “Dee Ann is a very outgoing, bubbly person,” Danyelle said. “She is very social and very sweet. She is a fun person to be around.” Despite being diagnosed with the disease, Dee Ann hasn’t let it get her down. She said she is going to beat it. “My kids keep me motivated,” she said. “They don’t give me time to think about it.” She said her kids have done well dealing with her sickness. Not having any family in Fort Wayne, the kids accompany her to all of her doctor's appointments and treatments. “Being 5 and 3 they don’t have a complete understanding right now,” she said. “They are looking forward to me losing my hair, though.” Dee Ann said the leukemia has caused her to not be able to work, adding to the complications. “I can’t work for two years because of taking the treatment and the side effects that come along with it,” she said.She said that it made her feel grateful when Danyelle told her about the benefit. “It is incredibly thoughtful of them, for them to reach out like that with me not living in the community anymore,” Dee Ann said. She said she is going to try to come to the benefit to catch up with old friends. Anyone who can’t attend the event but wants to contribute to the cause can do so by placing orders at www.marykay.com/tadams or www.marykay.com/dhassenzahl. When ordering, mention Pamper for a Purpose. The golf club is located at 2171 Bankers Road.